Follow these steps to adopt a whale

1. Choose a WHALE

2. Select an ADOPTION PACKAGE

3. ADOPT NOW and Pay Online

Meet the Whales

Southern Resident Killer Whales

The southern resident killer whales generally travel in large pods of closely related individuals within predictable ranges and feed primarily on fish. The southern resident community patrols the waters off southern Vancouver Island around Georgia Strait and the San Juan Islands. Learn more about the southern resident killer whales.

Most whales in the southern resident community are named after specific places or unique features such as Ruffles (J1) who has a very distinct wave to the trailing edge of his dorsal fin. All whales are given names when they are added to the adoption program by the researchers who first encounter them. For information on new calves born in the southern resident killer whale population visit the "New Killer Whale Baby" page of the Center for Whale Research.

Six matrilines in the southern resident community are available for adoption. Each whale's scientific number, adoption name, gender and year of birth are listed below.Click on the matriline names to view the family trees and more detailed information.